Easter

Easter egg hunts.

Floppy eared bunnies.

Soft marshmallow filled candies.

Parades, and other virtues of spring.

That's Easter......Right? El Wrongo!

Easter is the most important day of the calendar. Easter pertains directly to the resurrection of Jesus. Christians today are members of the largest religion in the history of this world. Why would that be?

The answer is: because of the resurrection.

To put it simply, there would be no Christian's if it were not for Easter. Easter is the culmination of events prophesied in the Old Testament. To put it even more simply, Easter is the holiest of all holy days. No other day of the year compares to Easter.

God sent his Son as He said he would. Some people recognized the fact, others were intimidated by a messiah. Jesus, the Son, warned the populous that they were wavering from the covenant they had agreed too. Jesus reached out to all. Jesus' promise of a kingdom "not of this world" was offered to everyone, as it is today. Jesus was crucified, in payment for our transgressions, died, and rose again three days later.

The Easter holiday celebrates the victory over death when Jesus rose again.

Believe it or not. We all have that choice.

Happy Easter to all. And to all a blessed day.

Hiram Rhoades Revels

The month of February is Black History Month in The United States. Truly it is an important month because I know of no other "Special" month of the year, and there are eleven more. Makes you wonder what next month "is." But it only affirms the specialness we bestow on Black History Month. I wish to introduce you to a person of history, and a person of tolerance, and a person with a mission. Hiram Rhoades Revels was his name. Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1822. His father was a free man, probably a member of the Luppee Indians, a certified Tribe which has a mixture of Black/White/Indian. The Luppee's may be the Indians associated with the famous Jamestown "Lost Colony" story. For the longest time the Luppee Indians were bunched in with the Croatan Tribe. His mother was an African slave who soon after Hiram's birth was emancipated. Hiram is the first African-American to serve in the U.S. Senate (1870).

At the age of 16 he went to Lincolnton, North Carolina to apprentice under his brother Elias as a barber. In 1841, his brother died and Hiram took over the barber shop. In 1844 he continued his education by leaving the barber trade and attending Quaker School in Liberty, Indiana. He also attended school at Knox College in Ohio. Revels became a ordained minister in the African Methodist Church and traveled ministering to African American congregations in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Kansas. He finally settled in Baltimore where he was a principal for an African American school and pastor at a local church.

In 1861 the civil war began. Maryland, a border state had divided loyalties, but Revels embraced the side of the Union cause. Revels helped in organizing two regiments of African American troops from Maryland. Hiram went to St. Louis to organize a school for African Americans in 1863 and helped form another regiment of African American men in Missouri. He then began his active service as a Union chaplain with a Mississippi regiment of free blacks. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, and eventually became provost marshal of Vicksburg.

At wars end he settled in Natchez, Mississippi where he joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1868 he became an alderman from Natchez. Somehow Hiram Revels balanced his political and pastoral duties without racial conflict, winning the respect of both whites and blacks. In 1870 he was elected the first African American member of the U.S. Senate.

More often than not, history creates scenarios that would be hard to fabricate otherwise.

Hiram Rhoades Revels was sworn in February 25, 1870 to fill the seat vacated almost 10 years earlier by Jefferson Davis, the President of the failed Confederacy. The irony is just outstanding.

Hiram Revels spent his charmed life trying to improve the educational and spiritual needs of the African American communities he came in contact with. Attending a church conference in Aberdeen, Mississippi on January 16, 1901, Hiram Revels died. But his courage and conviction lives, if not only in the annals of American history.

Thanksgiving....Pilgrims?

On a recent Thanksgiving, I kept my mouth shut because that was my main objective. I love my family, but they miss much of my logic at times. Today is PRESIDENT'S DAY. A holiday recognized only by Federal entities.

BEING this PRESIDENT'S DAY:

I thought of George Washington. DUH!

Coincidentally, I thought of another holiday, Thanksgiving.

Quick! What was the first Presidential Proclamation? Times up. Here it is: ```Oct. 14, 1789```

"WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houfes of Congress have, by their joint committee, requefted me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to eftablifh a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of thefe States to the fervice of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our fincere and humble thanksfor His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the fignal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpofitions of His providence in the courfe and conclufion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have fince enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to eftablish Conftitutions of government for our fafety and happinefs, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are bleffed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffufing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleafed to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in moft humbly offering our prayers and fupplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and befeech Him to pardon our national and other tranfgreffions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private ftations, to perform our feveral and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a bleffing to all the people by conftantly being a Government of wife, juft, and conftitutional laws, difcreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all fovereigns and nations (especially fuch as have shewn kindnefs unto us); and to blefs them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increafe of fcience among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind fuch a degree of temporal profperity as he alone knows to be beft.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand feven hundred and eighty-nine. "

(signed) G. Washington

(spelling is his, not mine. Though ikt could be mine.)

So the next time you sit down for a Thanksgiving dinner, remember the first Proclamation. Remember George Washington, who said those words which initiated the holiday. A holiday known for uniting, not dividing. Thanksgiving is a holiday of PLENTY and PRAYER.

How many people know that?

Football, Turkey, and Pilgrims were never mentioned.

VETERAN'S DAY

I received this in an E-mail:

It is the VETERAN , not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN , not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN , not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN , not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN , not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.



It is the VETERAN ,
who salutes the Flag.

A Botched Joke

Two days ago, the Senator from Massachusetts, a Frenchman, made these comments in California about the Men and Women who serve presently in the Armed Forces of the United States: "You know, education, if you make the most of it, if you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, uh, you, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq. ..."

This from a man who said on the night of the election in 2004, "I can't believe I lost to that idiot." George Bush, the idiot, had a higher grade point average than John Kerry at Yale. George Bush is a two term President of the USA. John Kerry should get use to losing to idiots. I believe the next graduation down the Whacko ladder after Stupid is Moron.

Kerry's moronic retort to the criticism of his statement was, "It was a botched joke, I was talking about the president...." This would be the idiot who John Kerry lost too in his exposing bid for the presidency in 2004.

A botched joke? First of all, President Bush is not in Iraq. Second, if he's referring to George Bush's studying habits at Yale, I don't see the humor because he did better than John Kerry at Yale, and also Bush did better in his life.

I read and re-read his joke. I will accept the fact that moron's are not particularly astute in joke telling, but his joke does raise the query of just what caste is below morons.

FYI, the median IQ of members of the US Armed Forces is higher that the median IQ of the USA. If you are uneducated, and don't do your homework, you will end up in jail, or a recipient of a pathetically hard life. You will also not be accepted in any branch of the Armed Forces. You also will most likely vote Democrat.

Let me conclude with a joke.

"Hey John Kerry! What's with the long face?"

A Loss Of Words

Friday, the 20th of October I lost my dog. Sarah was my pal and a fervent companion.

She was a Cocker Spaniel (American).

I know any massive loss can manufacture deep resentment.

I'm angry.

Here's what angers me the most.

A zillion times a day I would say, "HI Sarah! Hey Sarh-Bear! Sarah stop that!" But now that she has passed, I will never say Sarah again as routinely as I did, if ever.

Now that makes me angry.

I lost a dog, a friend, and the most beautiful word in my volcabulary.

Inconvenient Truth

Albert Gore was Vice President of the United States for 8 years. And the United States survived miraculously.

This man ran for President of the United States of America. This man invented the internet we all love. The endearing novel "Love Story" was written with his wife Tipper and himself in mind. If one man could save the world, Al Gore could. Well, at least in his mind. He conveniently recreates himself at a moments notice. All the things that he would tell you he could do, the man always leaves out the one thing he couldn't do. That was "win" his home state of Tennessee in his presidential bid of 2000.

How could you not win your "Home State!" What do they know in Tennessee that the general public doesn't? Al represented Tennessee for years as did his father. But this has happened before in recent history, to the ultra-liberal, out of the mainstream, Democrats chosen to represent their party. Walter Mondale lost 49 states in his bid for the presidency. The one state that he did win was his home state of Minnesota. Now when you go back in recent history you find two other candidates who failed to carry their own state. McGovern did not win his state (South Dakota), and before that Adalai Stevenson did not carry his home state (Illinois).

But not until the 2000 election did the failure of a candidate to secure his home state's electoral votes cause him to lose the election.

Albert Gore tried every trick to contest the 2000 Florida election results after George W. Bush was declared the winner, putting Bush over the total of electoral votes needed to obtain the election victory. Never, ever, was the fact, or should I say the "inconvenient truth" that Gore lost the election because he could not win the 11 electoral votes of his home state of Tennessee was ever "raised" to public knowledge and debate. Rejected, thus not elected by his home state.

Thank you Tennessee...... America salutes you.

Duh DaVinci Code

Dan Brown is the author of the book The DaVinci Code. In his book, one of fiction, he appropriates theories and tales that go back as far as the 12th Century, and as recent as the 1960's. Mr. Brown weaves these tales into a suspense novel. I feel Mr. Brown is a fine writer. The huge sales of his book reflects that. But my gripe here with him is his conscious portrayal of a Historian, when in reality he is nothing but a gifted writer.....when in reality, nothing but a plagiarist.

There is a movie, "The DaVinci Code," being produced at this very moment, but things are put on hold right now because of a court case. Someone is suing Mr. Brown.

Here are the main tales weaved in Mr. Brown's book:

A) A secret society which was discovered in a library which purports the membership of Leonardo DaVinci, and Isaac Newton to name just a couple. This is a society created by a convicted con-man in the 1960's to which he was the president at one time.

B) The Knights Templar. These were the first international bankers. They began as Crusaders, and then guardians of pilgrims who made the trek to Jerusalem after the success of the first crusade. There is much mystery to this Catholic order. The tales of the Templars have been resonating for hundreds of years.

C) Jesus was married and his blood line has influenced royalty. It is surmised that the "Holy Grail" is not the chalice used at the Last Supper but the holy "blood line" of Jesus. Jesus married Mary Magdalene and had children who were and are still hunted down by the Catholic church and murdered.

It's this last myth that has Mr. Brown in trouble. In the 1980's authors Richard Leigh and Michael Baigent wrote another fictional book named Holy Blood, Holy Grail. The idea that Jesus was married and the elusive Holy Grail, (believed to be in the possession of the Knights Templars), was actually code pertaining to the royal bloodline of the married Jesus. Mr. Leigh and Mr. Baigent are now suing Brown and his publishers for incorporating their myth into Mr. Brown's celebrated myth, The DaVinci Code.

Mr. Brown denies knowingly stealing their controversial theory. An odd assertion when you factor in that one of Mr. Brown's main characters in his fictional story is named Sir Leigh Teabing. Leigh being the last name of one of the Holy Blood, Holy Grail authors, and Teabing being the scrambled result of co-author Mr. Baigent's last name.

Can you believe Brown's denials? Can you believe the premise of his best-selling book ? The answer to both questions is NO.

Re: Bryant Gumbel

In response to the racist and bigoted rhetoric spouted by a bigot concerning the Winter Olympics on HBO. The root of all bigotry stems from immaturity.

I will not watch the NBA (National Basketball Association).

It should be obvious when you take into account the Summer and Winter Olympics that the best athletes in the world are "white," Caucasian if you will. The next group would be Asian.

No, I won't watch the NBA. The NBA is 85% African (Black). I chuckle when I hear people say that THESE are the best basketball players in the world.

The NBA looks like a NAACP convention.

No, I won't be watching the NBA.

Mary Jo Kopechne

Yesterday, we as a country saw an exhibition of what a "bully" is, and how he gets his kicks, and also why we should despise him. And that bully is Edward "Ted" Kennedy.

Ironically, anyone who has ever wondered what the infamous Senator Joseph McCarthy may have sounded like, yesterday's senate hearing concerning the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court would be so very close to how he must of sounded. McCarthy and Kennedy were both alcoholics. That would contribute to the irony.

During the Senate hearing "Teddy (hiccup)" accused a man, Alito, of racism, sexism, and homophobia because he subscribed to a magazine in which an article appeared that contained comments, that though the truth, are hallmarks of the Democratic fascist agenda. So totally unfounded were Ted's comments that it caused Judge Alito's wife to break down in tears.

Senator Edward Kennedy has no decency. And as time passes we forget things we shouldn't. When Teddy points his finger and criticizes someone, I feel we must revisit and remember Mary Jo Kopehne. Mary Jo was born on July 26, 1940 in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania. Mary Jo died in a auto driven by Edward "Ted" Kennedy, on July 18, 1969 in Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts.

Here is the account of the night:

Mary Jo Kopechne July 26, 1940 - July 18, 1969, born in Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, was the only child of insurance salesman Joseph Kopechne and his wife Gwen. Upon graduation from Caldwell College for women, Kopechne moved to Washington D.C. initially to work as secretary to U.S. Senator George Smathers and subsequently as secretary to Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Kopechne died in Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts when a car driven by Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy, in which she was the passenger, went off a bridge and overturned into a pond. Earlier that evening, the two had been attending a party along with other Kennedy aides and several women who had served as "boiler room" girls in the 1968 Presidential campaign of Senator Robert Kennedy. Kennedy managed to escape from the submerged car, but he left the scene and inexplicably did not report the incident or Kopechne's wherabouts. The next day authorities discovered Kennedy's car and recovered Kopechne's body. Though Kennedy pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident after causing injury, several details of Mary Jo Kopechne's death remain a mystery.

On July 18, 1969, Kopechne attended a party on Chappaquiddick Island, off the coast of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, held in honor of the "Boiler Room Girls." This affectionate name was given to the six young women who had been vital to the former Robert Kennedy presidential campaign and who had subsequently closed up his files and campaign office after his assassination. Besides Kopechne, the other women, all single, were Susan Tannenbaum, Maryellen Lyons, Ann Lyons, Rosemary (Cricket) Keough, and Esther Newburgh. The men in attendance, all married but partying without their wives, were Ted Kennedy, Joe Gargan, U.S. Attorney Paul Markham, Charles Tretter, Raymond La Rosa, and John Crimmins. The festivity was held at Lawrence Cottage, rented for the occasion by Gargan, Kennedy's cousin and lawyer. The twelve attendees gathered at the cottage after two Kennedy boats raced in the Edgartown Regatta earlier in the day.

Kopechne left the party at 11:15 pm with Ted Kennedy after he offered to drive her back to the Katama Shores Motor Inn in Edgartown where she was staying. On his way to the ferry crossing back to Edgartown, Kennedy reported he accidentally turned right onto Dike Road instead of bearing left on Main Street. After proceeding one-half mile, he descended a hill and came upon a narrow bridge set obliquely to the unlit road. Kennedy drove his 1967 Oldsmobile Delta 88 off the side of Dike (or Dyke) Bridge, and the car overturned into Poucha Pond.

Kennedy was able to extricate himself from the submerged car but Kopechne died. Undertaker Eugene Frieh told reporters that death "was due to suffocation rather than drowning," and diver John Farrar, who removed Kopechne from the car, claimed she was "too buoyant to be full of water." Since her parents' lawyer, Joseph Flanagan, filed a petition barring an autopsy, the cause of death was never medically confirmed. When the car was recovered, all the doors were locked and three of the windows were either open or smashed in. Investigators pondered how Kennedy, a large-framed, 6 foot 2 inch (1.88 m) man managed to get out of the car, but Kopechne, slender, 5 foot 2 inches (1.57 m) tall, was not able to do the same.

Kennedy claims he dove down several times attempting to free her. After exhausting himself, he rested for twenty minutes, then walked back to the Lawrence Cottage where the party had been held. At the Lawrence Cottage, aka: "The Party House", Kennedy asked for his cousin, Joe Gargan, and sat in the back of Kopechne's rental car, a white Dodge Valiant. Though there was a working telephone at this location, none of the group phoned for police or rescue help. Kennedy then returned to the submerged car with Gargan and Paul Markham who then resumed trying to reach her. The group claimed that the tidal current prevented them from reaching her.

Kennedy did not report the accident to authorities; they located him after the car and Kopechne's body were discovered by a science teacher and a 15 year old boy the following morning. He had, in the meantime, discussed the accident with several people, including Kopechne's parents, who say he omitted to tell them the fact that he had been driving the car.

On television Kennedy later said he was not driving under the influence of alcohol. He explained he was in a state of shock when he emerged from the creek and confused by "a jumble of emotions," and that his conduct in not reporting the accident was "inexcusable." He said he gave up hope and remembers little of how he got back to his hotel in Edgartown, except that he swam the narrow channel because there were no night ferries, and nearly drowned in the process.

Kennedy was charged and tried for failing to report an accident involving injury. He received a suspended sentence. Questions remain about his attempts to save Kopechne and the possibility of interference in the investigation and the trial by his family and friends. Kopechne's death severely damaged Kennedy's reputation and is regarded as the major reason he was never able to mount a successful campaign for President of the United States.

A funeral Mass for Kopechne was held on July 22, 1969 at St. Vincent's Roman Catholic Church in Plymouth, Pennsylvania. She is buried in the parish cemetery on the side of Larksville Mountain.

Let's not forget this when we hear the dilusional speech of Ted Kennedy. He has no honor or decency, he has no right to judge anyone because of his personal flaws. The best action toward a bully is a quick, fierce jab to the nose. But, we'll "cross that bridge" when we come to it.

Oooooops!

On Thursday January 5, 2006, Glynis McCants, a numerologist, was a guest on the Coast to Coast late-night radio program hosted by George Noory. If there was such a thing as a "fraud meter," the Coast to Coast program would be second only to the network(?) Air America programs. The Coast to Coast program, formerly the Art Bell Show, attracts psychics and soothsayers from around the world.

Ms. McCants was appearing on the show to review her predictions for 2005. One of her predictions was that the pop singer/freak Michael Jackson would be acquitted of child molestation charges. Of course, she was correct, he was acquitted. Impressive prediction if you don't factor in that the possibility of a guilty high profile Black man or woman being convicted of anything in this country at present is remote to say the least. Now if she would have predicted that the Chicago White Sox would win baseball's World Series in 2005, that would have impressed.

Glynis McCants makes a living as a numerologist. On her website, numberslady.com, she will give you a private reading. All you have to do is give her $18.95. How does numerology work you ask? Here is an example:
You give your birthdate. Let's say 10/5/49. Now, she will say " okay, the number 10 is a happy number, that means at times you are happy and laugh. Now 5 being half of 10 means that you are at times angry, and behind in some of your bills. Of course, 10 plus 5 is 15, the sleep number. You can't escape it as hard you try. Now 49 is an interesting number because eastern Europe has 49 food groups, illuminating the fact that you eat, you are hungry now!

That's numerology. It sure had me pegged.

Basically, you make up stuff and attribute your hyperbole to different numbers. How is that different from the carnival fortune teller you ask? It's not any different. By the time you find out that Europe doesn't have 49 food groups, she has your $18.95 and is in another town or on another radio station. The problem is how do we expose the frauds.

Well, an opportunity presented itself on the Coast to Coast radio program on 1/5/06. It was this day that the relatives of trapped coal miners in Tallmansville, West Virginia were misinformed that their loved ones were all found, and found alive. Not for three hours did the truth come out, the truth that in fact all but one miner was found alive. The Press "ran" with it. The major Networks all broke into their programming to make the announcement of the 12 miners survival. All major Newspapers had as their headline, such ditties as: "ALIVE," "MIRACLE IN W.V.," and "MINERS FOUND ALIVE." Unfortunately, for Glynis McCants, host George Noory also received the news bulletin which he announced to his listeners. Taken aback by this miraculous announcement, Mr. Noory asked Ms. McCants, "Can you believe the latest news coming out of West Virginia?" To which Glynis McCants, the numbers lady, offered, "I knew they were alive."

Not for three hours did the horrible truth come out reporting the true demise of the miners. What numbers were "Numbers McCants" looking at? I have no qualms with people making a living. I have issues with those who do not make an honest living.

Maybe you can ask Ms. McCants about this if you ever see or hear her. She'll be coming to a carnival or radio station in your town, that I'm sure of. Do these type of people.....have your number?

Tokyo Rose

Tokyo Rose was the name given to English speaking women who broadcast propaganda to American servicemen who were fighting in the Pacific during World War II. These broadcasts originated in Japan. The Japanese found three "talking points" that were oh so effective in bringing down troop morale.

Tell them:
1) Your President lied.
2) You cannot win the war.
3) Large Corporations are responsible for the war.

It might be just a coincidence....(cough)..... but these are the same talking points adopted by the American Democratic Party during the current War on Terrorism.

President Lincoln said, "You can fool some of the people some of the time. But you can't fool all the people all of the time." If true, that would be very depressing to Democrats today.

France! Rioting?

From time to time the news media has snookered us. It's not that we're stupid, but we're too busy to pay attention. Once, in a "rating period," we do see and hear things that just can't be true. The top News agencies report rioting in France. How Absurd. Looting in the suburbs of Paris? Yeah right!

Helllooooo! This is France. The country of John Kerry's birth.

Knock Knock!

Who's there.

The country who bailed you out of the Revolutionary War.

Two words. Statue of Liberty.

Wine.

Small portions of food.

Napoleon.

Who denigrates the French by vial rumors of riots?....... In France? Get a life. In America 48% love the French people. (include Prison Inmates & Mental Patients in the 48%).

The French know everything. Far superior to most polyglot Americans. Free health care, welfare up the kazoo, and the self-inflating narcissism of them just "Knowing" that they are French. Sexual behavior? No one can say that they are more promiscuous than the French people. Morals? French don't need them!

Sure, there have been problems in Canada within the province of Quebec associated with the French community. Scurrilous lies. But hey, the French have no influence on anything, so I say leave them alone. They're French. Superior too...Ah....Non-French.

But don't attempt to trick me by insulting me with this tripe about riots in France. Why would anybody riot in France?

You imbecile.

Any pictures you might see surely are prepared in Right-Wing Movie studios by Right-Wing picture defrauders.

Yours Truly,

Baghdad Bob

OH BROTHER!

The recent selection then withdrawal of Ms. Harriet Meirs as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court was tainted with cries of "cronyism" because the President picked his own attorney to fill a vacant position. The event spawned my recollection of maybe the most bizarre appointment in United States history. It involved President John F. Kennedy.

President Kennedy appointed his brother Robert to the position of Attorney General of the United States. His brother! I suppose we are led to believe that his brother was the best qualified candidate for the job. Recent events expose the pure hypocrisy inherent in the standards of the Democratic party.

Just imagine if the current President, George Bush, nominated his brother (Jeb) to a high ranking government position. Oh brother, would we hear the Dem's scream. Their memory is equivalent to their experience with reality. Spotty to say the least.

President's Iraq Speech! Lies?

Here is the speech the President gave to congress justifying his attack on Iraq:

"Good evening.

Earlier today, I ordered America's armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. They are joined by British forces. Their mission is to attack Iraq's nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors.

Their purpose is to protect the national interest of the United States, and indeed the interests of people throughout the Middle East and around the world.

Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons.

I want to explain why I have decided, with the unanimous recommendation of my national security team, to use force in Iraq; why we have acted now; and what we aim to accomplish.

Six weeks ago, Saddam Hussein announced that he would no longer cooperate with the United Nations weapons inspectors called UNSCOM. They are highly professional experts from dozens of countries. Their job is to oversee the elimination of Iraq's capability to retain, create and use weapons of mass destruction, and to verify that Iraq does not attempt to rebuild that capability.

The inspectors undertook this mission first 7.5 years ago at the end of the Gulf War when Iraq agreed to declare and destroy its arsenal as a condition of the ceasefire.

The international community had good reason to set this requirement. Other countries possess weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. With Saddam, there is one big difference: He has used them. Not once, but repeatedly. Unleashing chemical weapons against Iranian troops during a decade-long war. Not only against soldiers, but against civilians, firing Scud missiles at the citizens of Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Iran. And not only against a foreign enemy, but even against his own people, gassing Kurdish civilians in Northern Iraq.

The international community had little doubt then, and I have no doubt today, that left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will use these terrible weapons again.

The United States has patiently worked to preserve UNSCOM as Iraq has sought to avoid its obligation to cooperate with the inspectors. On occasion, we've had to threaten military force, and Saddam has backed down.

Faced with Saddam's latest act of defiance in late October, we built intensive diplomatic pressure on Iraq backed by overwhelming military force in the region. The UN Security Council voted 15 to zero to condemn Saddam's actions and to demand that he immediately come into compliance.

Eight Arab nations -- Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman -- warned that Iraq alone would bear responsibility for the consequences of defying the UN.

When Saddam still failed to comply, we prepared to act militarily. It was only then at the last possible moment that Iraq backed down. It pledged to the UN that it had made, and I quote, a clear and unconditional decision to resume cooperation with the weapons inspectors.

I decided then to call off the attack with our airplanes already in the air because Saddam had given in to our demands. I concluded then that the right thing to do was to use restraint and give Saddam one last chance to prove his willingness to cooperate.

I made it very clear at that time what unconditional cooperation meant, based on existing UN resolutions and Iraq's own commitments. And along with Prime Minister Blair of Great Britain, I made it equally clear that if Saddam failed to cooperate fully, we would be prepared to act without delay, diplomacy or warning.

Now over the past three weeks, the UN weapons inspectors have carried out their plan for testing Iraq's cooperation. The testing period ended this weekend, and last night, UNSCOM's chairman, Richard Butler, reported the results to UN Secretary-General Annan.

The conclusions are stark, sobering and profoundly disturbing.

In four out of the five categories set forth, Iraq has failed to cooperate. Indeed, it actually has placed new restrictions on the inspectors. Here are some of the particulars.

Iraq repeatedly blocked UNSCOM from inspecting suspect sites. For example, it shut off access to the headquarters of its ruling party and said it will deny access to the party's other offices, even though UN resolutions make no exception for them and UNSCOM has inspected them in the past.

Iraq repeatedly restricted UNSCOM's ability to obtain necessary evidence. For example, Iraq obstructed UNSCOM's effort to photograph bombs related to its chemical weapons program.

It tried to stop an UNSCOM biological weapons team from videotaping a site and photocopying documents and prevented Iraqi personnel from answering UNSCOM's questions.

Prior to the inspection of another site, Iraq actually emptied out the building, removing not just documents but even the furniture and the equipment.

Iraq has failed to turn over virtually all the documents requested by the inspectors. Indeed, we know that Iraq ordered the destruction of weapons-related documents in anticipation of an UNSCOM inspection.

So Iraq has abused its final chance.

As the UNSCOM reports concludes, and again I quote, "Iraq's conduct ensured that no progress was able to be made in the fields of disarmament.
"In light of this experience, and in the absence of full cooperation by Iraq, it must regrettably be recorded again that the commission is not able to conduct the work mandated to it by the Security Council with respect to Iraq's prohibited weapons program."

In short, the inspectors are saying that even if they could stay in Iraq, their work would be a sham.

Saddam's deception has defeated their effectiveness. Instead of the inspectors disarming Saddam, Saddam has disarmed the inspectors.

This situation presents a clear and present danger to the stability of the Persian Gulf and the safety of people everywhere. The international community gave Saddam one last chance to resume cooperation with the weapons inspectors. Saddam has failed to seize the chance.

And so we had to act and act now.

Let me explain why.

First, without a strong inspection system, Iraq would be free to retain and begin to rebuild its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs in months, not years.

Second, if Saddam can crippled the weapons inspection system and get away with it, he would conclude that the international community -- led by the United States -- has simply lost its will. He will surmise that he has free rein to rebuild his arsenal of destruction, and someday -- make no mistake -- he will use it again as he has in the past.

Third, in halting our air strikes in November, I gave Saddam a chance, not a license. If we turn our backs on his defiance, the credibility of U.S. power as a check against Saddam will be destroyed. We will not only have allowed Saddam to shatter the inspection system that controls his weapons of mass destruction program; we also will have fatally undercut the fear of force that stops Saddam from acting to gain domination in the region.

That is why, on the unanimous recommendation of my national security team -- including the vice president, the secretary of defense, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the secretary of state and the national security adviser -- I have ordered a strong, sustained series of air strikes against Iraq.

They are designed to degrade Saddam's capacity to develop and deliver weapons of mass destruction, and to degrade his ability to threaten his neighbors.

At the same time, we are delivering a powerful message to Saddam. If you act recklessly, you will pay a heavy price. We acted today because, in the judgment of my military advisers, a swift response would provide the most surprise and the least opportunity for Saddam to prepare.

If we had delayed for even a matter of days from Chairman Butler's report, we would have given Saddam more time to disperse his forces and protect his weapons.

Also, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins this weekend. For us to initiate military action during Ramadan would be profoundly offensive to the Muslim world and, therefore, would damage our relations with Arab countries and the progress we have made in the Middle East.

That is something we wanted very much to avoid without giving Iraq's a month's head start to prepare for potential action against it.

Finally, our allies, including Prime Minister Tony Blair of Great Britain, concurred that now is the time to strike. I hope Saddam will come into cooperation with the inspection system now and comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. But we have to be prepared that he will not, and we must deal with the very real danger he poses.

So we will pursue a long-term strategy to contain Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction and work toward the day when Iraq has a government worthy of its people.

First, we must be prepared to use force again if Saddam takes threatening actions, such as trying to reconstitute his weapons of mass destruction or their delivery systems, threatening his neighbors, challenging allied aircraft over Iraq or moving against his own Kurdish citizens.

The credible threat to use force, and when necessary, the actual use of force, is the surest way to contain Saddam's weapons of mass destruction program, curtail his aggression and prevent another Gulf War.

Second, so long as Iraq remains out of compliance, we will work with the international community to maintain and enforce economic sanctions. Sanctions have cost Saddam more than $120 billion -- resources that would have been used to rebuild his military. The sanctions system allows Iraq to sell oil for food, for medicine, for other humanitarian supplies for the Iraqi people.

We have no quarrel with them. But without the sanctions, we would see the oil-for-food program become oil-for-tanks, resulting in a greater threat to Iraq's neighbors and less food for its people.

The hard fact is that so long as Saddam remains in power, he threatens the well-being of his people, the peace of his region, the security of the world.

The best way to end that threat once and for all is with a new Iraqi government -- a government ready to live in peace with its neighbors, a government that respects the rights of its people. Bringing change in Baghdad will take time and effort. We will strengthen our engagement with the full range of Iraqi opposition forces and work with them effectively and prudently.

The decision to use force is never cost-free. Whenever American forces are placed in harm's way, we risk the loss of life. And while our strikes are focused on Iraq's military capabilities, there will be unintended Iraqi casualties.

Indeed, in the past, Saddam has intentionally placed Iraqi civilians in harm's way in a cynical bid to sway international opinion.

We must be prepared for these realities. At the same time, Saddam should have absolutely no doubt if he lashes out at his neighbors, we will respond forcefully.

Heavy as they are, the costs of action must be weighed against the price of inaction. If Saddam defies the world and we fail to respond, we will face a far greater threat in the future. Saddam will strike again at his neighbors. He will make war on his own people.

And mark my words, he will develop weapons of mass destruction. He will deploy them, and he will use them.

Because we're acting today, it is less likely that we will face these dangers in the future.

Let me close by addressing one other issue. Saddam Hussein and the other enemies of peace may have thought that the serious debate currently before the House of Representatives would distract Americans or weaken our resolve to face him down.

But once more, the United States has proven that although we are never eager to use force, when we must act in America's vital interests, we will do so.
In the century we're leaving, America has often made the difference between chaos and community, fear and hope. Now, in the new century, we'll have a remarkable opportunity to shape a future more peaceful than the past, but only if we stand strong against the enemies of peace.

Tonight, the United States is doing just that. May God bless and protect the brave men and women who are carrying out this vital mission and their families. And may God bless America."

Did you pick out the lies? Do you feel misled?

This was the speech presented to congress by President Bill Clinton on December 16, 1998 after launching Cruise Missiles against Iraqi targets.

Air America (II)

If Al Franken and friends are still broadcasting on Air America but no one is listening, are there any sounds?

Shame

There's an old saying, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on ME."

I offer to you a News Item published today by WISN, a radio/TV station in Milwaukee, WI.:

Acting on a tip, Milwaukee police busted a child day-care center for allegedly housing guns and drugs.

Detectives said they discovered four guns, as well as an undisclosed amount of illegal drugs.

The sign out front is missing, but La Conta's Tiny Angels Daycare was still operating Thursday as Milwaukee police swept in around 7:30 a.m.

A 31-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and the 31-year-old woman who owns the center were arrested.

Two children were inside at the time, but weren't injured. They were placed in state custody until their parents could come get them. The Department of Health and Family Services immediately suspended the day-care license and said it has begun the process of revoking the license.

"The department's top priority is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the children who are in the care of a day-care center," said a department representative.

The state went so far as to deliver the suspension notice to the owner at the jail.

No charges have been issued as of yet against the three.

The day care was just granted its license two months ago.

What's my point? Well, my point is that the government granted a license to these people only two months ago. I ask...on the basis of WHAT? If you believe the Government is there to protect children(upisdown) ....Shame on you!

Air America (airline?)-NO

Air America is a radio network. I think it's a network. The network was conceived by.......someone. And it was meant to do..........something. All the while representing the broad mainstream of America........somewhat.

Those whacky guys and gals at Air America, being true to their progressive nature (?), have gone where no commercial station has ever gone before. They are asking for donations. "GET OUT OF TOWN!" you may be saying. But no.....they are. Here is what the newspaper said:

"In an unusual move for commercial radio, Air America Radio quietly launched Sept. 21 a loyalty program that includes asking for donations from listeners, a strategy more common to noncommercial stations and political action committees. According to the network’s Web site, listeners become an “Air America Associate” by making a cash donation to the network."

They "quietly launched" a loyalty program. OOOPS! I'll probably get into trouble just by writing this. I'll write very quietly. Also, at this point I must recuse myself. I don't listen to Air America which apparently put's me in the stupid category of the human race. Reason would tell you that there are not enough smart people around to sustain a Radio Network for smart people. Therefore a PBS style donation drive should not arouse any suspicion in any of us, because nobody listens to PBS. If this does create suspicion....... you are most likely a racist, or were abused as a child by your parents.

But like I said, "I must recuse myself."

If you think Air America sounds like an airline........you are probably a racist, a stupid racist. Of course it is an airline, isn't it? All I know is that extremely smart people who are better than me, because they have "no God," picked "Air America" as their moniker. I think these smart people have visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads.

These people don't get it. You would think smart people would.

I stand recused.

The Ugly Feminist

Not long ago, a man was about to enter a Department Store in a local shopping mall. Upon his approach to the store he noticed a women heading in his direction. He paused, smiled, and held the door open for the woman who surprised the man with, "I hope you're not holding the door for me because I am a women."

"No," replied the man, "I'm holding the door because I am a Gentleman!"

Feinstein in Fein Form

Dianne Feinstein is a U.S. Senator from California. When you hear about the lunatic fringe of the Democratic Party, Ms. Feinstein would be one of the lunatics. The fact that she is not being treated at a Mental Institution for her delusional tantrums is yet another example of the failure of this country's Health Care system.

Yesterday Ms. Feinstein slipped into Wonderland at the senate confirmation hearing of John Roberts, a candidate for Supreme Court Justice. This is what Ms. Feinstein said, a statement, I think, which was meant to explain the separation of "church and state." It's amazing she said these things without crossing her eyes once. Here's what she said:

I recently traveled to Europe where I saw monuments enshrining the tragedies that have occurred in the name of religion. In Budapest along the River Danube there are 60 pairs of shoes covered in copper: women's, men's, small children's.

During World War II, Hungarian fascist and Nazi soldiers forced thousands of Jews including men, women and small children to remove their shoes, as a final humiliation, before shooting them and letting their bodies fall and drift down the river. These shoes represent a powerful symbol of man's inhumanity.

Never crossed her eyes once.

You may ask yourself, "What in the world is she talking about." Don't ask me, I dunno! Certainly Hungary and Germany were not religious states. I don't have a clue what she was talking about. I just wish someone would have had the compassion and decency to approach her during the statement, and gingerly grab her shoulders and say, "There, there, lets go back to your office. I have licorice!" Then gently lift her from her seat and escort her out of the hearing room.

That would have been the correct thing to do.

I can just see her, her eyes crossed by now, staggering in short choppy steps out of the Senate hearing room saying, "Is it red licorice?"